Climbing the Aconcagua is, among other things, a big personal and team satisfaction. Therefore, it needs to be enjoyed as much as possible, and to do it, it is necessary to bear in mind some recommendations when starting the ascent.
It’s for sure that if you want to enjoy the experience of mountain climbing, much depends on your previous training. The chances of success can be highly improved and also your safety margin, so as to avoid mountain illnesses or accidents. Therefore, it is important to bear in mind that an adequate preparation and acclimation are fundamental to have the necessary strength in order to avoid exhaustion during the journey.
To accomplish it, your daily routine must include some exercising that will contribute to achieve fitness. As nowadays it is usually to have many obligations, sometimes it is hard to find the time to train everyday. Anyway, when you have a goal such as to reach a summit high as the Aconcagua, the challenge is worth it and all the effort may become a pleasure, which is another goal in itself.
When climbers arrive at Aconcagua, they are too attracted by what it means to be there, but this is precisely the time to calm down, get everything ready and keep a slow pace to favor acclimation and thus reach the summit.
Once settled in Plaza de Mulas, it is advisable to walk around the area, favoring an adequate acclimation. In Plaza de Mulas climbers are advised to spend 4 to 5 nights minimum. The equipment can also be carried to a higher camp and climbers may return to Plaza de Mulas to spend the night.
Among people between 30 and 45, a better acclimation is to be expected due to the maturity of the nervous system. It must be pointed out that acclimation does not depend only on age but also on many other factors, mainly out of human control. Some people are even advised to rest 1 to 3 nights in Puente de Inca to start the expedition already breathing at this altitude.
Well acclimated, a person may make the final ascension spending the night in other base camps such as Berlín, Nido de Cóndores, Independencia, Canada, etc.
To be honed for the ascent, it is essential to undergo previous training by climbing different size mountains, slowly increasing altitude.
When we talk about training, we must think of the specific activity to achieve a good physical condition. The more specific the training, the better will be the results when climbing the mountain. Step climbing and climbing technics by using hands and feet, etc.
You have to consider that you will be probably climbing most of the time with a burden on your back. Of course, any adequate training for the cardiovascular function is better then none. But the specific training a better way to exercise muscles, lungs and heart and most important of all, the metabolic system. At the same time, prepare tendons and ligaments for the work involved.
These are some suggestions, but it does not mean they are the only ones:
1. Training to develop energy with activities such as running, bicycle, sky or walking at a quick step. Rotate routines to prevent injuries due to excess of exercise.
2. Progressive training with weight provides resistance. It improves the anaerobic metabolism: the principal process that feeds the work of the muscles, which is feed by the carbohydrates stored in our body, so that they don’t need to metabolize additional oxygen.
3. Training in the mountains or scaling training walls with a backpack. Start with little weight and increase it gradually. Do no run with weight.
4. Training as much as possible, climbing mountains, spending the whole day, or more in an excursion. To be a good climber, to be able to climb high mountains you must train. You begin with small mountains and a medium backpack and increase both gradually.
The best is to train by climbing, of course, because it is the exact place to do it. Backpacks often tire the majority of climbers and never should be expected to get accustomed to climb with weight when the expedition has already begun.
5. To be mentally fit for the expedition. Before starting, it is necessary to understand that many times you are going to feel uncomfortable, perhaps you are going to be for a couple of days in a basic tent with anything to do, waiting for the storm to end, surely you will start to feel little symptoms of height. So, you will have to be convinced that it is worth to have left behind the comforts of home in order to experience an unique challenge, in a difficult mountain through patience and determination.
You will have long days ahead of you and you must prepare your mind for it.
6. Get to know yourself, analize and recognise your motivations, your limitations and weaknesses.
7. A good diet is essential, which must not be underestimated Determine which one will be the most appropriate for your body and fitness. There are many books and articles that can help you and also specialists in nutrition for sports.
It must not be forgotten that the descent is almost as important as the ascent, since strength has been depleted from the energy spent in the ascent. This is precisely the time to concentrate and thus be able to celebrate the end of the expedition.
One of the main causes of failure to reach the summit is undoubtedly underestimating Aconcagua, as well as the symptoms of altitude sickness such as headache, nausea, etc. Even the most experienced climbers may suffer from altitude sickness.
drink large quantities of liquid (around 3 to 5 liters per day per person) to help acclimation.
Do not take diuretics or other medicines without medical prescription.
Medicines usually hide the symptoms and when the edema is detected, it is usually too late. The medicines used in other mountains usually worsen the general situation.
In case of doubt ask the physician or report to the park ranger service.
